Network policy service for dynamic media

Abstract

Processing network requests includes receiving a request for a target media element available at a requested location. The request can identify a media repository that stores the target media element. A substitute media element that has content approximately equivalent to content of the target media element can be determined. The substitute media element can be stored on a sub-network connected to the network. A selection page having a link to the location of the substitute media element on the sub-network can be generated. A response to the request for the target media element can include the selection page, so as to offer a user a choice of media source.

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. A method of processing network requests, the method comprising:
 receiving a request via a network for a target media element at a requested uniform resource locator (URL) from a user's computer, the request identifying a media repository that stores the target media element; 
 determining and selecting a policy database based on a legal jurisdiction of an internet service provider, the internet service provider providing access to the network for the user's computer; 
 determining whether the request is subject to a restrictive policy based on identity information of a user of the user's computer and a geographic location of the user's computer; 
 when the request is not subject to the restrictive policy, allowing the user's computer access to the target media element; 
 when the request is subject to a restrictive policy, processing the request to determine a substitute media element that has content approximately equivalent to content of the target media element, the processing including querying the policy database that stores associations between target media elements and substitute media elements, the substitute media element stored on a sub-network controlled by the internet service provider connected to the network, a URL of the substitute media element stored on the policy database, the substitute media element compliant with the legal jurisdiction of the internet service provider; and 
 when the requested target media element is associated with a substitute media element in the policy database, generating a selection page having a target link to the requested URL of the target media element and a substitute link to the URL of the substitute media element on the sub-network controlled by the internet service provider, the target link juxtaposed to the substitute link on the selection page, and responding to the request with the selection page. 
 
     
     
       2. The method of  claim 1 , further comprising authenticating a credential of a requesting computer at which the request originated, the credential associated with an account at the sub-network. 
     
     
       3. The method of  claim 2 , further comprising charging the account after receiving selection of the substitute media element. 
     
     
       4. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the sub-network comprises a media store at which media elements including the substitute media element are for sale. 
     
     
       5. The method of  claim 1 , wherein generating the selection page further comprises providing in the selection page another substitute link to a URL of another substitute media element that has content approximately equivalent to content of the target media element, the substitute media element stored on another sub-network connected to the network. 
     
     
       6. The method of  claim 1 , wherein generating the selection page comprises providing a human-intelligible message in the selection page, the human-intelligible message indicating a negative characteristic of the target media element. 
     
     
       7. The method of  claim 6 , wherein the target media element contains unlicensed content, and the substitute media element lacks unlicensed content. 
     
     
       8. The method of  claim 6 , wherein the target media element is of reduced audio or visual quality, and the substitute media element is of superior audio or visual quality. 
     
     
       9. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the content of the substitute media element is identical to the content of the target media element. 
     
     
       10. A system comprising:
 one or more computers configured to:
 receive a request via a network for a target media element at a requested uniform resource locator (URL) from a user's computer, the request identifying a media repository that stores the target media element; 
 determine and select a policy database based on a legal jurisdiction of an internet service provider, the internet service provider providing access to the network for the user's computer, 
 determine whether the request is subject to a restrictive policy based on identity information of a user of the user's computer and a geographic location of the user's computer; 
 when the request is not subject to the restrictive policy, allow the user's computer access to the target media element; 
 when the request is subject to a restrictive policy, query the policy database that stores associations between target media elements and substitute media elements, and process the request to determine a substitute media element that has content approximately equivalent to content of the target media element, the substitute media element stored on a sub-network controlled by the internet service provider connected to the network, a URL of the substitute media element stored on the policy database, the substitute media element compliant with the legal jurisdiction of the internet service provider; and 
 when the requested target media element is associated with a substitute media element in the policy database, generate a selection page having a target link to the requested URL of the target media element and a substitute link to the URL of the substitute media element on the sub-network controlled by the internet service provider, the target link juxtaposed to the substitute link on the selection page; and 
 respond to the request with the selection page. 
 
 
     
     
       11. The system of  claim 10 , wherein the one or more computers is further configured to authenticate a credential of a requesting computer at which the request originated, the credential associated with an account at the sub-network. 
     
     
       12. The system of  claim 11 , wherein the one or more computers is further configured to charge the account after receiving selection of the substitute media element. 
     
     
       13. The system of  claim 10 , wherein the sub-network comprises a media store at which media elements including the substitute media element are for sale. 
     
     
       14. The system of  claim 10 , wherein the one or more computers configured to generate the selection page includes providing in the selection page another substitute link to a URL of another substitute media element that has content approximately equivalent to content of the target media element, the substitute media element stored on another sub-network connected to the network. 
     
     
       15. The system of  claim 10 , wherein the one or more computers configured to generate the selection page includes providing a human-intelligible message in the selection page, the human-intelligible message indicating a negative characteristic of the target media element. 
     
     
       16. The system of  claim 15 , wherein the target media element contains unlicensed content, and the substitute media element lacks unlicensed content. 
     
     
       17. The system of  claim 15 , wherein the target media element is of reduced audio or visual quality, and the substitute media element is of superior audio or visual quality. 
     
     
       18. The system of  claim 10 , wherein the content of the substitute media element is identical to the content of the target media element.